A sizable portion of the Maya civilization was located in the Yucatan Peninsula, modern-day Guatemala, Belize, parts of the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas, the western part of Honduras, and El Salvador. Today, a large number of pyramid temples and other structures, including stelae, aqueducts, and enormous paved roads, are scattered throughout the lush tropical jungle, concealed by a particular mystique.
Nowadays, Mesoamerica can be found in a variety of architectural styles. The Mayas never established a single empire and lived in autonomous city-states. As a result, different regions have different temple traits and construction techniques. But among the various Mayan towns spread throughout Mesoamerica, one can clearly see a major architectural impact from the various pre-Hispanic civilizations. The Maya erected the majority of their pyramids as temples to their gods. Some of them have sanctuaries on their summits where people perform important rituals and ceremonies.
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| MUNDO MAYA Map of the most important Maya archaeological sites |
The Maya culture, which dates back 5,000 years, is still visible in the ruins they left behind. The still-standing buildings serve as a tangible reminder of their affluent way of life. The intriguing history of the Mayan temples, stelae, and pottery artifacts draws tourists from all over the world. In addition to being excellent architects, the Maya were also exceptional astrologers, agronomists, and mathematicians. They also invented a remarkable writing system (Mayan hieroglyphs) as well as an astonishingly precise calendrical cycle.
Main Maya Pyramids in Yucatan Peninsula
1. Tikal Pyramid Temples
One of the key Mayan sites, occupied from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D., is located in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation. The ceremonial center is home to magnificent temples, palaces, and ramp-accessible public areas. The surrounding area is littered with the remains of homes.
Numerous buildings, carved monuments, and other artifacts bearing witness to highly developed technical, intellectual, and artistic achievements have been found. These developments date from the first settlers' arrival (800 B.C.) to the last phases of historic occupation, which occurred around the year 900. Tikal has improved our knowledge of both a remarkable past civilization and more general cultural evolution. The Great Plaza, the Lost World Complex, and the Twin Pyramid Complexes, as well as ball courts and irrigation structures, are just a few notable locations that showcase the diversity and beauty of architectural and sculptural ensembles performing ceremonial, administrative, and residential roles.
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| Tikal archaeological site from above. |
After decades of archeological excavation, only a small portion of the thousands of ancient structures at Tikal have been excavated. The six enormous pyramids designated Temples I through VI, each of which supports a temple complex on its summit, are the most notable remaining structures. Some of these pyramids reach heights of more than 60 meters (200 feet). During the initial site survey, they were numbered in order. Each of these significant temples may have been constructed in as little as two years, according to estimates.
There are several significant pyramid temples at Tikal. Here's some information about a few of the most prominent ones:
- Temple I: Also known as the Temple of the Great Jaguar, Temple I is a funerary pyramid dedicated to Jasaw Chan K'awiil, who was entombed in the structure in AD 734, the pyramid's construction having been completed for this event. This temple is approximately 47 meters high.
- Temple II: Known as the Temple of the Mask, it was built around AD 700 and stands 38 meters high. Temple II is located on the west side of the Great Plaza, opposite Temple I, and it's believed that it's dedicated to the wife of Jasaw Chan K'awiil.
- Temple III: The Temple of the Jaguar Priest, Temple III, stands 55 meters tall and was likely finished around AD 810. An elaborate roof comb once adorned this temple, though much of it has since collapsed.
- Temple IV: The tallest pyramid in Tikal and the second tallest Maya structure in existence, Temple IV, or the Temple of the Double-Headed Serpent, stands at a whopping 70 meters tall. It was built around AD 741 by the ruler Yik'in Chan K'awiil.
- Temple V: Temple V stands 57 meters high and was likely completed between AD 550 and 650. The identity of the person for whom it was built is currently unknown.
- Temple VI: Also known as the Temple of the Inscriptions, it contains a lengthy hieroglyphic text important to the study of Maya history and is about 12 meters high.
Each of these temples has its own unique architectural and historical features, and all of them contribute to our understanding of the ancient Maya civilization.
2. El Mirador/La Danta
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| La Danta Pyramid |
La Danta is one of the world's largest pyramids by volume, although it doesn't reach the heights of the Egyptian pyramids. La Danta measures approximately 72 meters (236 feet) high. However, because it's built on a platform that's already elevated, its top is some 230 meters (754 feet) above the level of the plaza.
The base of the La Danta complex covers over 2.1 hectares (5.2 acres). When considering the total volume of the complex, including the underlying and adjacent platforms, it's one of the most massive ancient structures in the world. Some estimates put its total volume at over 2.8 million cubic meters.
The structure of La Danta is made of cut stone, covered in stucco, and its platforms are supported by retaining walls of rock fill. The pyramid is part of a sprawling complex with multiple plazas, terraces, and smaller buildings. It's a typical example of the triadic style, popular in the Preclassic Maya period, which features a central structure flanked by two smaller inward-facing buildings, all mounted upon a single basal platform.
El Mirador flourished during the Late Preclassic period (around 300 BC to AD 100) and was one of the largest cities of ancient Maya civilization during this time. Although it had largely fallen into obscurity by the time of the Classic period (AD 250–900), when Tikal rose to prominence, it was a significant hub of culture, commerce, and local politics.
The site was rediscovered in 1926 and named El Mirador (The Lookout) because of its high altitude relative to the surrounding terrain. It's been the focus of extensive archaeological investigation, and efforts have been made to make the site more accessible for tourism. However, its remote jungle location makes access challenging, and it remains less well-known and less visited than some other Maya sites.
3. calakmul
Calakmul is another significant Maya archaeological site, located in the Mexican state of Campeche, deep in the jungles of the greater Petén Basin region. It is situated within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, close to the Guatemalan border. Calakmul was one of the largest and most powerful ancient cities in Maya history.
Discovered under a late-period temple are some of the most stunning murals ever seen in the Maya world. There are at least eight Sacbe (white stone roads) that have been identified in the archeological zone.
The city was first established around 500 BC and reached its peak during the Classic Period of the Maya civilization, from AD 250 to 900. At its height, Calakmul is believed to have had a population of over 50,000 people, and its influence would have extended to many smaller nearby communities.
Calakmul was established atop a small natural plateau surrounded by a savannah, deep within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, and about 22 miles (35 kilometers) from the Guatemalan border. A system of canals and aguades supplied water. With a population of about 50,000 and over a million people under its political influence, it was one of the biggest and most powerful city-states in the Maya world.
Unlike many other Maya cities, Calakmul was never completely abandoned. While its political power waned at the end of the Classic period, it remained a place of activity and habitation up until the time of the Spanish conquest.
Here are a few key points about Calakmul:
Architecture and Layout
Calakmul is known for its great plaza and over 6,750 ancient structures, the largest of which is the great pyramid at the site, Structure 2. This pyramid is over 45 meters (148 feet) high, making it one of the tallest of the Maya pyramids. There are two tombs inside the pyramid with murals that are of great significance to Maya archaeologists.
The city is divided into roughly two halves by a series of reservoirs. The northern half appears to be the older part of the city, while the southern half, built later, is more grid-like in its layout.
Stelae and Monuments
Calakmul was a significant center of power, as evidenced by the large number of stelae found at the site. Stelae are large stone slabs, often carved with images and text. Calakmul has over 120 of these stelae, many of which portray the city's rulers and record their accomplishments.
The city of Calakmul is made up of a number of plaza groups centered on the Central/Grand Plaza and aligned with the four cardinal directions. These buildings are part of the Central Plaza Group: II, IV, V, VI, and VII. The enormous pyramid or temple known as Structure II at Calakmul is unquestionably the site's most magnificent building. It is located on the plaza's south side. It took many centuries and multiple expansions for this tower to reach its final height of about 150 feet (50 meters), making it the tallest and largest building in the Maya civilization. The diameter of its base is more than 400 feet (130 meters).
Structure VI, Structure VII, and Structure IV are all situated on the plaza's west, north, and east sides, respectively. The "E Group" is made up of structures IV and VI, which are assumed to have served as astronomical markers for the equinoxes and solstices.
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| Temple I Structure Is a solitary structure that is situated south of the Central/Great Plaza. At a height of 130 feet, it is the second-highest pyramid in the area (40 meters). The pyramid is supported on a platform that extends 328 feet (100 meters) on each side. The ball court lies to the north of Structure XIII. It is a 26-foot-tall, four-story, pyramid-shaped platform (8 meters). The platform foundation is 141 feet (43 meters). A two-story building is located atop the pyramid's peak and is reached by a central stairway. The edifice was built in the eighth century, according to a number of stelae that are present here. The site of Calakmul was rediscovered in 1931, and archaeological work has been ongoing since the 1980s. In 2002, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, both for its cultural significance and because of its location within the protected Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Visiting Calakmul today involves a fairly lengthy trip into the jungle, but visitors are rewarded with impressive ruins and the rich biodiversity of the surrounding reserve. |
4. Dzibanche - Kinichná
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| Kinichna acropolis |
North of the Kohunlich ruins is a significant archaeological area called Dzibanche. The name, which in Yucatec Maya means "writing on wood," was given to a wooden support lintel covered in glyphs that was discovered in one of the temples. The site spans 7.7 square miles (20 square kilometers) in size, although the central region is significantly smaller and more accessible. 40 000 people are thought to have lived there at its peak population.
The site was occupied from around 200 BC to AD 900, flourishing during the Late Classic period (600–900 AD).
The site features several plazas and a number of large temple pyramids. The most impressive among these is the Temple of the Captives, which gets its name from the various carved figures found in the temple that appear to be bound captives. Another significant structure is the Temple of the Lintels, which is named for its above-mentioned inscribed wooden lintels, an unusual feature in Maya architecture.
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| Xibalba plaza with temple of the owl (right) and temple of the cormorants (left). |
The site is home to four major groups that are dispersed over a vast area. Dzibanche, Kinichna, Tutil, and Lamay are the names of the groups. The Lamay Group can be viewed on the left side of the road on the approach to Dzibanche, although only Dzibanche and Kinichna are accessible to the general public. Causeways made of elevated white stone known as sacbeob connect these groups. The most significant municipal and ceremonial buildings at the site are found in Dzibanche.
The main building, known as the Temple of the Cormorants, is situated on the east side. Its Teotihuacan talud-tablero architecture makes it the tallest pyramid at the location. This edifice has several friezes attached to it. The base of this multi-tiered pyramid contains a masonry-built superstructure. The plaza level is reached by an outstanding central staircase that ascends to the summit temple. The multi-chambered temple's three entrances are divided between two pillars.
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| Kinichna acropolis |
The Xibalba Plaza may be seen from the back of the Temple of the Cormorants, which is situated next to it. It can be reached by stairs on the building's northwest side. The focal point of this plaza complex is the Temple of the Owl, Structure I. It is a massive pyramid with Peten-style construction. A wide, central staircase ascends to a temple with numerous chambers. Via interior stairs, a tomb of a powerful woman from the late 5th century was discovered here.
Kinichna is located close to Dzibanche and is often visited in conjunction with it. Its most notable structure is a massive pyramid, believed to have been a royal residential complex. This pyramid, which visitors can climb, offers views over the surrounding jungle.
The name "Kinichna" means "House of the Sun" in Mayan. This site dates to the same period as Dzibanche, and there may have been close connections between the two cities.
The Kinichna Group is situated along a side road and behind the visitor center. The main building is a massive platform base with a three-level acropolis within it. It is a striking early classical building surrounded by trees in a tiny plaza with low platforms in front of it. There were two royal graves inside the building. A stucco Kin/Sun sign on the back of this building serves as the group's moniker. It was worth the quick drive.
The general public cannot access the Lamay group. Its main body is supported by a tall platform foundation. To the south of Dzibanche is where you'll find the Tutil Group. The Temple of the Paired Pilasters, the principal building, exemplifies peculiar Rio Bec-style architecture.
Archaeological excavation and restoration work at Dzibanche and Kinichna started in the late 20th century, and both sites have been opened to tourism. However, due to their remote locations in the dense jungle of Quintana Roo, they are less frequently visited than some of the more famous sites in Yucatan, such as Tulum or Chichen Itza. This can make a visit to Dzibanche and Kinichna a unique experience, offering a sense of the grandeur and mystery of the ancient Maya civilization without the crowds found at more accessible sites.
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